Military Aviation Archaeology Galleries

April 11, 1983, USAF Boeing B-52G (58-0161) Square Top Mountain, UT : On April 11, 1983 at 0845 (EST), two Boeing B-52Gs (LURE 75) and (LURE 76) were scheduled to depart Robbins AFB, Georgia. Both aircraft were operated by the 19th BMW of the Strategic Air Command. The scheduled activity included cell departure and join-up, enroute cell formation, high altitude contingency training, and low level navigation/terrain avoidance/simulated weapons delivery/threat avoidance. This training activity was part of an advanced aerial combat training exercise hosted at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada known as "RED FLAG". A maintenance delay with LURE 75 was resolved and the aircraft departed Robbins AFB at 0924. Both aircraft joined-up over the Oklahoma City VORTAC where the crew of LURE 75 reported additional problems with various navigation and flight control avionics. The problems were not considered serious and the mission continued with LURE 75 taking the lead to the low level entry point. At 1130 (MST) LURE 75 received a low level weather update from Nellis Control. The forecast called for broken cloud bases at 15,000 to 20,000 feet with minimum ceilings of 4,600 feet along the route traversing south-western Utah. LURE 75 entered IR-126 with LURE 76 three minutes later (20 mile spacing). LURE 76 reported variable weather conditions which included cloud obscurred mountain ridges and peaks. At 1220 (MST) and traveling about 320 knots, LURE 75 impacted the south face of 7,050 foot Square Top Mountain at approximately the 6,800 foot level. On board aircraft LURE 75 were: Capt. Donald W. Hiebert......Pilot 1st.Lt. Thomas C. Lennep Jr....Co-Pilot Capt. Jonathan M. Bishop.....Radar Navigator 1st.Lt. Matthew W. Cervenak....Navigator 1st.Lt. Bernard S. Russell.....Electronic Warfare Officer SSgt. Major Carter...........Gunner Col. Caroll D. Gunther......Pilot/Safety Observer The aircraft was completely destroyed on impact. There were no survivors. ********************************************************************************** I first visited this crash site during the Fall of 1996. Due to approaching weather, my visit was limited to the south face (impact point) and summit of Square Top Mountain. The USAF Accident Report and an aerial survey of the site conducted by LostFlights, revealed that a majority of large fragments had been projected over the summit during the collision with the mountain. The following photos were taken during my aerial survey of the site and of my 1996 visit.

April 11, 1983, USAF Boeing B-52G (58-0161) Square Top Mountain, UT

On April 11, 1983 at 0845 (EST), two Boeing B-52Gs (LURE 75) and (LURE ...

Updated: Oct 11, 2008 6:42pm PST

August 17, 1983, U.S. Navy, TA-7C near Valle, AZ : On August 17th 1983, a U.S. NAVY TA-7C Corsair II flying from California's Lemoore Naval Air Station to Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico crashed near Valle, Arizona. Lt. Cmdr. Gregory S. Thompson, age 32. was in cruise flight at 28,000 feet when his canopy suddenly separated from his aircraft. Thompson, unable to control the aircraft, safely ejected and free fell 15,000 feet before his parachute opened. The aircraft, entering a steep high-speed descent, impacted about 12 miles east of Valle and about 3 miles north of Highway 180 in Northern Arizona. ************************************************************ I knew of this accident for many years, but had never been able to locate the crash site. During a company training flight in April 2008, I discovered an impact crater with wreckage projecting to the north of the crater. I circled the site, took photos, and noted the location using my Garmin 60CSx GPS Receiver. In May, I drove to the site and was able to confirm through part numbers, the identity of wreckage as being that of the TA-7C Corsair. The aircraft upon impact, created a crater about 20 feet across and 8 feet deep. I observed displaced and fractured lava basalt rock within the crater. Wreckage debris extended north 1,200' from the crater. Engine components in the form of first stage and compressor blades and sections were located throughout the debris field. Overall, the site appears to be undisturbed since the investigation was completed in 1983. Kudos to Lt. Cmdr. Thompson for a safe ejection!

August 17, 1983, U.S. Navy, TA-7C near Valle, AZ

On August 17th 1983, a U.S. NAVY TA-7C Corsair II flying from Californ ...

Updated: Jul 03, 2008 10:44am PST

October 16, 1984, USAF, Boeing B-52G (57-6479) Monument Valley, AZ : ACCIDENT SYNOPSIS: On October 16, 1984 at 3:46 PM, a Boeing B-52G (SWOON 52) operated by the 92nd BMW of the Strategic Air Command departed Fairchild Air Force Base, WA for a scheduled night T-3 Training Mission. At 8:55 PM, while flying in and out of snow showers, the B-52's right wing and #4 engine pylon struck the north crest of Hunts Mesa on the Navajo Indian Reservation. The aircraft continued to travel on a 155 degree magnetic heading another 3,465 feet before it crashed onto a lower southern bluff of Hunts Mesa. On board the aircraft were: Capt. Robert L. Keeney......Pilot 1st.Lt. Douglas J. Schwartz...Co-Pilot Maj. Eugene J. Daspit......Radar Navigator 1st.Lt. Kenneth O. Portis.....Navigator Capt. Sean M. Yeronick......Electronic Warfare Officer Sgt. David W. Felix........Gunner Col. William L. Ivy........Pilot/Safety Observer After striking the mesa, the crew managed to eject from the aircraft with serious injuries. The exception being Sgt. David Felix whose parachute failed to deploy before ground contact and Col. William Ivy who was seated in the observers seat without the capability to eject or escape before the plane crashed. Both were killed in the accident. ********************************************************************************** HISTORICAL SUMMARY: I have known of this accident since 1992 and have flown over the area many times but had never been able to locate the crash site from the air. I knew from talking with the local Navajos that the area had been "cleaned" by the Air Force a year or so after the accident. On September 19, 2008, I traveled to Hunts Mesa on the Navajo Indian Reservation to see for myself if anything remains at the site. Thanks again to Brad Gray for the accident report and the information he provided. Through his assistance, he saved me many hours of searching.

October 16, 1984, USAF, Boeing B-52G (57-6479) Monument Valley, AZ

ACCIDENT SYNOPSIS: On October 16, 1984 at 3:46 PM, a Boeing B-52G ...

Updated: Sep 30, 2008 12:29am PST

F8U Crusader Canopy near Valle, AZ. : A friend of mine located this canopy while hiking near his home in Valle, AZ. The canopy is from an F8U Crusader. Please let me know if you have any information.

F8U Crusader Canopy near Valle, AZ.

A friend of mine located this canopy while hiking near his home in Val ...

Updated: Jul 05, 2009 2:14pm PST